Annual FASTag Toll Pass: The central government has announced a new toll-reduction plan for motorists. This plan is considered particularly beneficial for those who regularly travel on highways and expressways. Now, for ₹3,000, an annual FASTag pass for 200 toll trips per year can be obtained. Those who avail this pass will no longer have to pay additional tolls at National Highway Authority toll plazas and national expressways.
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, while providing information about this annual toll pass, explained that a single recharge of ₹3,000 will allow motorists to travel up to 200 trips a year without additional toll charges. For example, if a person frequently travels between Delhi and Rishikesh, the cost of the pass can be recovered in just a few trips, and subsequent trips will be completed without additional toll charges.
Existing Fastags will work
There is no need to purchase a new Fastag to avail this facility. The annual toll pass can be activated by recharging the existing Fastag. However, it is important to ensure that the Fastag is not blacklisted. Recharging of the annual pass can be done through the NHAI’s official website or the Highway Yatra app. Currently, this option is not available on any UPI platform.
Validity and Trip Limit
This annual pass will be valid for 12 months and will be applicable for a total of 200 trips. If the 200 trips expire before the completion of one year, the pass will need to be recharged again. However, if the one year is completed, the remaining trips will automatically expire, and the pass will be considered expired.
Where will this pass be valid?
This facility will be applicable only at toll plazas and national expressways under the NHAI. There are over a thousand such toll booths across the country. This pass will not be valid at toll plazas operated by state governments or private companies. Payments on those routes will still be made using the FASTag balance, and those trips will not count towards the annual 200 trips limit.
Who will benefit?
This annual toll pass will be available only to private vehicles. Currently, commercial vehicles will not benefit from this facility, although a separate arrangement is expected for them in the future.
How will trips be calculated?
Where a point-based toll system is in place, crossing a toll plaza once will count as one trip. For example, crossing a toll plaza will count as one trip, and crossing it again on the return journey will count as another trip.
On routes with a closed toll system, the journey from entry to exit will be considered as one trip. That is, if you leave an expressway from one entry point to another exit point, it will count as one trip.
This government initiative is expected to significantly save toll costs for regular commuters. This could make long-distance travel more accessible and affordable.
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